When Li Yannian Advances Northward, All Columns of the Central Plains Field Army Shall Assume Defensive Duties on the Southern Front[1]

(December 21, 1948)

Liu, Chen, Deng, and for the information of Su and Tan[2]:

(1) Du Yuming[3] has requested a replenishment of 400 tons of grain and ammunition before he can break out of the encirclement. Due to recent overcast and rainy weather, very little in the way of supplies has been delivered. At present, Chiang and Gu[4] are stepping up resupply efforts. It is assessed that the timing for his breakout attempt will be approximately around the 25th or thereabouts. On the Bengbu front, Li Yannian[5] is currently advancing toward the line of Baojiaji and Heji[6] with only a few search detachments. It is estimated that around the end of this month or the beginning of next month, when our army’s operations to annihilate Du Yuming reach a critical and intense stage, there is a possibility that he will once again move eight or nine divisions northwest of Bengbu. (2) Under the circumstances described above, you should order all columns of the Central Plains Field Army to rapidly complete their post-battle reorganization and preparations, so that when Li Yannian advances northward for the third time, they can assume defensive duties on the southern front. Furthermore, they should prepare, when the operations of the East China Field Army against Du Yuming are approaching resolution, to allow the enemy to penetrate deep and then encircle and annihilate a portion of his forces. (3) Su and Tan should still adhere to the ten-day rest and reorganization plan. Even if Du Yuming attempts a breakout during this period, they should still use a portion of their forces to resist him, and only launch an offensive after completing the rest and reorganization plan and redeploying their forces anew. They should also prepare to resolve the situation step by step, following the method used against Huang Wei[7].

The Military Commission

Ma Chou

---

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China, addressed to Liu Bocheng (Commander), Chen Yi (First Deputy Commander), and Deng Xiaoping (Political Commissar) of the Central Plains Field Army.
[2] Su and Tan refer to Su Yu and Tan Zhenlin, who were then serving respectively as Acting Commander and Acting Political Commissar, and Deputy Political Commissar of the East China Field Army.
[3] Du Yuming was then serving as Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Kuomintang Army’s Xuzhou “Bandit Suppression” General Headquarters and concurrently Director of its Forward Command.
[4] Chiang refers to Chiang Kai-shek. Gu refers to Gu Zhutong, then serving as Chief of Staff of the Kuomintang Army.
[5] Li Yannian was then serving as Commander of the Kuomintang Army’s 6th Corps.
[6] Baojiaji appears to be a reference to Baoji, located northeast of Huaiyuan County, Anhui Province. Heji is a village name, located southwest of Guzhen County, Anhui Province.
[7] Huang Wei was formerly Commander of the Kuomintang 12th Corps. During the second stage of the Huaihai Campaign, this corps was completely annihilated by the Central Plains Field Army and a portion of the East China Field Army near Shuangduiji in the southern part of Suixi County, Anhui Province, on December 15, 1948. Huang Wei was captured.